You can now sign-up for the F1 2018 beta

Veteran game developer, Codemasters, has announced you can now sign up for the closed beta for its forthcoming racer, F1 2018.

Mere mortals (those who just play games casually) can head to the Codemasters F1 2018 website, enter their details and then maybe get a chance to play the game before it officially launches.

The idea, as with most video game beta tests, is to get people to play the game so Codemasters can iron out any gameplay quirks before it goes on sale later in 2018, helping avoid the chance of releasing something that is, to use an old phrase, a bag of spanners.

There is no need to worry about having the right tool for the job because the F1 2018 beta is taking place on all the systems it will launch on, which happens to be PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

What you will need to do, however, is live in either Europe or Oceania as only players from these regions will be eligible. Answering a 10-minute survey on the current game, F1 2017, is also part of the process.

"Not only are applications for this year’s beta programmes now open, we also want to hear what you have to say on F1 2017 and for you to help us shape what’s to come," Codemasters said on its official blog.

Unlike usual, the F1 2018 closed beta is said to be happening offline and online so it will be possible to better either AI opponents (who never smack talk you) or players from around the world (who almost certainly will).

There is still life left in F1 2017. The latest Esports championship was recently announced, which means there is every incentive to spend time honing your skills and improving your lap times, as opposed to doing the washing up.

You can sign up to the F1 2018 beta here, if you like. The full reveal, details and all, is most likely to take place at this year's E3 show so you may as well tune in to the actual F1 season in the meantime.